NEW INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR ACTION, “WATER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”, AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES OF TAJIKISTAN IN THE FIELD OF WATER.

26.01.2017

Today, the problem of water and water deficit in the planet has become one of the axial activities of the mission of the international organizations and separate countries of the world. It is evident that the peoples comprehend the crux of water scarcity in the planet and how dependent the humanity of this welfare, which is a factor of existence of the life on the earth. The high rates of development of the population of the globe have increased demand for drinking water and its use in the production, livelihood and intensive use of agriculture, and has been facing humanity in the global crisis. Therefore, the problem of drinking water shortage is an important for the humanity. Central Asia is one of the most sensitive regions in the water sector and has a large amount of water resources. Tajikistan, as a country with abundant water reserves in the region, accounts for about 60% of its water resources, supports for the fair and reasonable use of these resources through international and regional cooperation, and recognizes the continuous implementation of the water cooperation diplomacy in the field of solving of the water related issues.

The Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law has the right to use its natural resources, including water to ensure the country's sustainable development and decent living conditions for its people. The Republic of Tajikistan applies this right with regard to the use of water resources on the basis of shared regional interests, building on the principles of good neighborliness, respect and genuine mutual interests, inclusive dialogue and cooperation to respond to the existing challenges. Tajikistan as the upstream country and main source of water resources in Central Asia will never create obstacles under any circumstances to the water supply in the region.

In this connection, one of the priorities of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan is to ensure the country's leading role in water issues in the region and in the international arena, which corresponds to the national interests and aspirations of the international community.

Around of the water cooperation diplomacy and follow the initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan His Excellency Emomali Rahmon depends on water sector ("The International Year of Fresh Water, 2003", "International Decade of Action "Water for Life", 2005-2015", "The International Year of Water Cooperation, 2013") and the 2018-2028 International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" has been declared, which are satisfied with the world community.

It should be noted that in the modern conditions of international relations, the initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan in the water sector are timely and their essences are reflected in the following aspects:

 The Republic of Tajikistan is consciously carrying out water cooperation diplomacy and leads a goal to play a decisive role in resolving water-related issues on the world stage.

 The creative partnership of the Republic of Tajikistan addressing water issues for the sake of life and sustainable human development which is more than national interests, and is corresponding to the benefit of the world community.

 The initiatives of Tajikistan will promote greater inclusiveness and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and their objectives.

 Tajikistan promotes the concept of water cooperation diplomacy and brought it up to the level of practical implementation, because the idea of a water diplomacy differs from its traditional or classical understanding, it requires the introduction of such new technology to negotiate, which can lead to the successful completion of conflicts and problems on management and use of transnational waters;

 To create a solid foundation for coordination and stimulation of efforts to address the issues related to water management issues;

 These issues, and in general, Tajikistan's water initiatives have created a new strategic objective for humanity and providing a worthy life for the people;

Another essence is that Tajikistan's initiatives in the field of water are presented, while humanity faces to the following challenge:

 Population growth, expansion of agricultural land, unused water resources, climate change and environmental problems, water scarcity problem, profiting from small and large transnational rivers and other water related issues have become an influential factor in the system of international relations;

 The daily needs of the population in drinking water increased than natural opportunities of the Planet;

 The speed of drinking water consumption is twice as high as the growth of the population of the planet;

 Globally, water scarcity already affects four out of every 10 people. A lack of water and poor water quality increases the risk of diarrhea, which kills approximately 2.2 million people every year, as well as trachoma, an eye infection that can lead to blindness, and many other illnesses. (WHO);

 Increasing temperatures on the planet and more variable rainfalls are expected to reduce crop yields in many tropical developing regions, where food security is already a problem. (WHO);

 By 2025, 1.8 billion people are expected to be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under water stress conditions. (UNESCO, 2012);

 With the existing climate change scenario, by 2030, water scarcity in some arid and semi-arid places will displace between 24 million and 700 million people. (UNCCD);

 By the 2080s, land unsuitable for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa die to severe climate, soil or terrain constraints may increase by 30 to 60 million hectares. (FAO);

 90% of all natural disasters are water-related. (UNISDR);

On 21 December 21 2016 the UN General Assembly adopted with consensus a resolution A/RES/71/222 entitled "International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development", 2018-2028", sponsored by the 177 UN member states. As you might be aware, the initiative for proclamation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" was launched for the first time by H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan which took place last year in April in the Republic of Korea.

In accordance with the resolution (OP3) the period from 2018 to 2028 is proclaimed as the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" to commence on 22 March 2018 and terminate on 22 March 2028 (22 March – World Water Day) and its objectives will be mainly focused on: - sustainable development and integrated management of water resources for the achievement of social, economic and environmental goals; - implementation and promotion of related programs and projects;

 furtherance of cooperation and partnership at all levels in order to help to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 In addition, the resolution identifies the following objectives to be pursued:

 improving knowledge generation and dissemination, facilitating access to knowledge and exchange of good practices, generating new information relevant to the water-related Sustainable Development Goals;

 pursuing advocacy, networking and promoting partnership and action by different actors to implement the water-related goals and targets;

 strengthening communication actions at various levels for the implementation of the water-related goals.

New International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028 is intended to strengthen and expand the progress made during the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, create a solid platform for consolidating efforts to further efficient water resources management and become an impetus for the rapid launch of the implementation of sustainable development goals related to water.

The resolution on International Decade is based on the following important documents:

2. The outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20;

3. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development;

4. The Declaration of the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 (9-10 June 2015, Dushanbe);

5. The Call for Action adopted on the High Level Symposium on SDG 6 and Targets: Ensuring that No One is Left Behind in Access to Water and Sanitation (9-10 August 2016, Dushanbe).

In general, the new ten years will be the logic of previous water-based initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan and collects all countries of the world around the negotiation table in addressing the problems of water shortage and water issues in the planet.